Cattle (colloquially cows) are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius. Cattle are raised as livestock for meat (beef and veal), as dairy animals for milk and other , and as draft animals ( or bullocks) (pulling , and the like). Other products include leather and dung for manure or fuel. In some regions, such as parts of India, cattle have significant religious meaning. From as few as 80 progenitors domesticated in southeast Turkey about 10,500 years ago,Bollongino, Ruth & al. Molecular Biology and Evolution. " Modern Taurine Cattle descended from small number of Near-Eastern founders". 7 Mar 2012. Accessed 2 Apr 2012. Op. cit. in Wilkins, Alasdair. io9.com. " DNA reveals that cows were almost impossible to domesticate". 28 Mar 2012. Accessed 2 Apr 2012. an estimated 1.3 billion cattle are in the world today. In ..
